Ukraine: Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy has proposed a peace plan aimed at ending the ongoing conflict with Russia, expressing willingness to work under the “strong leadership” of U.S. President Donald Trump. Zelenskyy’s remarks came just days after a tense encounter with Trump during their White House meeting.
In an effort to mend ties with Washington after the U.S. paused military aid to Ukraine, Zelenskyy wrote on X: “None of us wants an endless war. Ukraine is ready to negotiate for lasting peace. Nobody wants peace more than Ukrainians, and my team and I are prepared to work under President Trump’s leadership to achieve that.”
Zelenskyy outlined several initial steps for peace, including the release of prisoners, a ceasefire in the sky (with bans on missiles, drones, and attacks on civilian infrastructure), and a ceasefire at sea—if Russia agrees to do the same. He emphasized Ukraine’s eagerness to move quickly toward a final agreement with U.S. cooperation.
He also reiterated Ukraine’s appreciation for U.S. support, particularly remembering when President Trump provided Ukraine with Javelin missiles, which Zelenskyy credited as a turning point in the war.
Referring to the recent White House meeting, Zelenskyy acknowledged that it did not go as planned, calling it regrettable, and expressed a desire to make things right. He emphasized the need for constructive future cooperation and communication between Ukraine and the U.S.
The U.S. had previously paused military aid to Ukraine following the tense exchange between the two leaders, with a White House official stating that the pause was part of a review process to ensure aid contributes to peace. The U.S. has been a major supplier of arms to Ukraine since Russia’s invasion in 2022, though there has been a shift in U.S. strategy since Trump’s return to office in January.
